TWO vital groups which improve the lives of disabled people are celebrating after securing lottery funding.

The Pavis Foundation for Visually Impaired People, in Basildon, received about £225,000 from the Big Lottery Fund's Reaching Communities programme.

Meanwhile, the Essex Coalition of Disabled People was handed more than £143,000.

Pavis offers a number of activities, workshops and training opportunities for people with visual impairment, including IT and braille lessons and the use of speech software. The money will be used to extend the charity's current services. Jane Lutton, general manager, said: "We are so amazed, relieved and overjoyed.

"Many people who experience sight loss wonder how they are going to cope. But they tell us Pavis changes all that - it means the world to them that they have somewhere to meet and learn new skills."

MP Angela Smith, a patron of the charity, added: "I am over the moon about the funding. The money will be a real asset to Basildon and people that Pavis support. They deserve this."

The Essex Coalition of Disabled People will use the grant to expand its volunteering programme, which helps people with disabilities to become less isolated in the community.

This will include training disabled people to become volunteers so they can help others to gain valuable skills.

Ann Gregson, the group's volunteers and mentoring manager, said: "The funding means our very worthwhile project, the Independent Visitors Scheme, can continue to build on the success it has had so far.

"We will also be able to move into areas of Essex we have not had the capacity to deal with in the past."